Principal Traffic Engineer
About The Position
Mott MacDonald is seeking an experienced Traffic Engineering Leader to join their growing Southern California transportation team. This role, based in the Los Angeles area, will provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of transportation infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to key clients, oversee critical traffic engineering reviews and designs, mentor developing engineers, and help expand the traffic engineering presence across Southern California. This is a leadership opportunity for a California-licensed Traffic Engineer who combines strong technical expertise with client engagement, project delivery, and team development capabilities. The role offers the chance to work on significant transportation programs in Southern California while helping build and lead a growing traffic engineering practice, with immediate project opportunities, direct client exposure, and the chance to shape how transportation infrastructure is delivered across the region. The company is looking for a technically respected leader who is passionate about transportation, enjoys solving complex challenges, and is motivated to help grow both people and business.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
- California Traffic Engineer (TE) licence required.
- Typically 10+ years of progressive traffic engineering experience, with consideration given to both senior and principal-level candidates based on expertise and project background.
- Strong experience in worksite traffic control, temporary traffic management, detour planning, and construction traffic operations.
- Experience reviewing and approving traffic control plans for public agency transportation projects.
- Demonstrated knowledge of California traffic engineering standards, MUTCD, Caltrans requirements, and local agency review processes.
- Experience working with or supporting agencies such as LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, California High-Speed Rail, local municipalities, or comparable transportation organisations.
- Strong understanding of transportation infrastructure construction and traffic impacts during construction.
- Experience managing projects and coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D; experience with Civil 3D design workflows is highly desirable.
- Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and contribute to team growth.
- Proven ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across geographically dispersed teams.
Nice To Haves
- Previous consulting experience is preferred; public-sector agency experience will also be strongly considered.
- Experience supporting major transportation programs, transit systems, rail infrastructure projects, or large-scale event transportation planning is advantageous.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the technical lead for traffic engineering projects across Southern California.
- Lead the review, development, and approval of worksite traffic control plans, transportation management plans, construction phasing strategies, and detour plans.
- Provide technical oversight for LA Metro traffic-control review assignments supporting active and planned capital projects.
- Support California High-Speed Rail and other transportation agencies with traffic engineering reviews, third-party design oversight, and transportation management activities.
- Lead traffic engineering efforts associated with major regional events, including Olympic Games transportation improvements and mobility planning initiatives.
- Review, sign, and seal engineering documents and traffic control plans as required.
- Coordinate with public agencies including LA Metro, LADOT, Caltrans, local municipalities, and other transportation stakeholders.
- Provide technical guidance on traffic operations, temporary traffic control, work zone safety, construction traffic management, and transportation planning.
- Support the development and delivery of traffic engineering design packages using AutoCAD Civil 3D and related software tools.
- Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned projects.
- Act as a client-facing technical advisor and build strong relationships with agency stakeholders and transportation decision-makers.
- Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, technical approaches, interviews, and client presentations.
- Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
- Help recruit, build, and grow the Southern California traffic engineering team as workloads expand.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across highways, rail, transit, civil infrastructure, and transportation programs.
Benefits
- Performance-based bonuses
- Medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- FSA and HSA accounts
- Company-paid life insurance
- Short-term disability coverage
- Long-term disability coverage
- Competitive 401(k) plan with company matching
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Caregiver leave
- Employee referral bonuses
- Professional registration and membership reimbursements
- Tuition assistance
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
